MEDICAL DEVICES AND METHODS FOR CARRYING OUT A MEDICAL PROCEDURE

1 . A method for carrying out a medical procedure, comprising:

advancing a medical device towards a puncture site in a patient's body and positioning a radiofrequency puncture electrode of the medical device adjacent the puncture site;

delivering radiofrequency energy from the radiofrequency puncture electrode to create a puncture in the puncture site;

advancing the medical device through the puncture to position an auxiliary electrode of the medical device at a target site in the patient's body; and

using the auxiliary electrode for diagnosis, mapping, or treatment at the target site.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the puncture site is a fossa ovalis of the patient's heart, and the target site is a structure of a left side of the patient's heart.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein advancing the medical device through the puncture comprises using the auxiliary electrode for pulmonary vein isolation.

4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the target site is the ventricular endocardium.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein using the auxiliary electrode for diagnosis, mapping, or treatment at the target site comprises using the auxiliary electrode for electroanatomic mapping of the target site.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein using the auxiliary electrode for diagnosis, mapping, or treatment at the target site comprises using the auxiliary electrode to ablate the target site.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein using the auxiliary electrode for diagnosis, mapping, or treatment at the target site comprises using the auxiliary electrode to collect electrical signals from the target site.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein using the auxiliary electrode for diagnosis, mapping, or treatment at the target site comprises using the auxiliary electrode to pace the target site.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary electrode is positioned in a shape-changing section of the medical device, and the method further comprises changing the shape of the shape-changing section to anchor the shape-changing section in a vessel.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the target site comprises a wall of the vessel, and changing the shape of the shape-changing section positions the auxiliary electrode in contact with the target site.

11 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising using the medical device as a rail to advance a secondary device towards the target site.

12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein using the auxiliary electrode for diagnosis, mapping, or treatment at the target site comprises using the auxiliary electrode to perform a treatment at the target site, and then using the auxiliary electrode to confirm the treatment.

13 . A method for carrying out a medical procedure, comprising:

advancing a medical device towards a puncture site in a patient's body and positioning a radiofrequency puncture electrode of the medical device adjacent the puncture site;

using an auxiliary electrode for diagnosis, mapping, or treatment of a target site;

delivering radiofrequency energy from the radiofrequency puncture electrode to create a puncture in the puncture site;

advancing the medical device through the puncture to position an auxiliary electrode of the medical device at a target site in the patient's body; and

using the auxiliary electrode for diagnosis, mapping, and/or treatment at the target site.

14 . A medical device comprising:

an elongate member having a distal portion defining a distal end, and a proximal portion defining a proximal end, the elongate member comprising an inner mandrel and an outer liner;

a radiofrequency puncture electrode at the distal end, and a first electrical connector extending proximally from the radiofrequency puncture electrode towards the proximal end, for electrically connecting the radiofrequency puncture electrode to a radiofrequency generator;

at least a first auxiliary electrode in the distal portion, positioned proximally of the radiofrequency puncture electrode, and a second electrical connector extending proximally from the auxiliary electrode towards the proximal end, for electrically connecting the auxiliary electrode to a diagnostic system, a mapping system, and/or a treatment system.

15 . The medical device of claim 14 , wherein the first auxiliary electrode is one of a plurality of auxiliary electrodes that are longitudinally spaced apart in the distal portion.

16 . The medical device of claim 15 , wherein the distal portion comprises a shape-changing section, and the first auxiliary electrode is in the shape-changing section.

17 . The medical device of claim 16 , wherein the shape-changing section is changeable from a generally straight shape to a loop shape, a pigtail shape, a balloon shape, a basket shape, a J-shape, a semi-circular shape, or a combination thereof.

18 . The medical device of claim 17 , wherein the elongate member is relatively stiff proximal of the shape-changing section.

19 . The medical device of claim 17 , wherein the medical device is a guidewire and the elongate member has an outer diameter of between about 0.014 inches to about 0.060 inches.

20 . The medical device of claim 17 , wherein the medical device is a microcatheter and the elongate member has an outer diameter of between about 0.02 inches to about 0.079 inches.